Full contact racing fans were treated to two title races at Bovingdon Raceway on June 20, when the mighty V8 Stock Cars contested their National Championship and the 1300cc Stock Cars fought it out for the Hertfordshire Championship.
The big and brutal V8 Stock Cars got things underway with 25 laps of ear-splitting action at the Herts circuit. Pre-drawn grid positions gave 261 Simon Hogg pole, a position he held onto until he tangled with 31 on the back straight, giving the lead to 71, Lee Barnard. Barnard powered on, but had to keep an anxious eye on his rear view mirror as veteran driver 98, Peter Scott was rapidly working his way through the pack. Scott passed Barnard on the inside and his years of experience in the V8 formula paid off as he began to open his lead and pick his way through the back markers with consummate skill.
Barnard never gave up the chase, but had to settle for second place behind the aptly nicknamed 'Flying Scott.' Third place in the hotly contested race went to 238, Darren Mitchell.
The Stock Cars were expected to deliver a hard and fast race for the Hertfordshire Championship and the armoured car's drivers did not disappoint the fans. As the green flag fell the cars powered into the first turn and around the pit bend where a massive shunt saw 152, Tyrone Poulter overturn and land precariously on the safety fence. The driver was OK, but his Stock Car looked like it had been ripped open by a giant can opener.
The restart saw 158, Michael Stone grab the lead and begin to put some tarmac between him and the other competitors. Stone's luck held out as he weaved through the back markers until one of them slammed into him, spinning him out and allowing 11, Lee Boulden to take up the running. Stone was left to circulate the track in an ominous fashion, clearly looking to dish out some revenge to the offending back marker, before he gave up and pulled in to the centre green. Once at the front of the pack Boulden held on to lift the title ahead of a very hard charging 43, Mark Lammas and 171, Dean O' Dell.
Rookie Bangers and Stock Rods completed the bill, with wins in the finals for 447, Stuart Smythe in the non-contact Rods and an extremely rapid 24, Jason Cuddithy in the very far from non-contact Rookie Bangers.
More action to come at Bovingdon on Sunday July 11th with Rookie Bangers, Rookie Rods, and Superstox. With free parking, and a great view of all the action from high-banked spectator areas, Bovingdon (situated off B4005 Bovingdon, Nr Hemel Hempstead, Herts, on the airfield complex) will once again offer a great value for money family day out.
